By Ayodele Oni
Ondo State Police Command has commenced investigation into an alleged extortion of money from one of the six suspected fake Pastors that use fake miracles to defraud members of the public.
One of the suspects, who is the General Overseer of God’s Favorite Ministry, Prophet Olarewaju Fadahunsi, had petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Tunji Disu, calling for the investigation and suspension of the Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Adebowale Lawal, over an alleged ₦2 million extortion.
In a petition signed by his solicitor, Ibrahim Sulaiman, the “Cleric” accused the Commissioner and officers attached to his office of extorting ₦2 million from him and five other “Pastors” following their arrest in February 2026.
According to the petition, the “Pastors” were arrested on February 11 at St Paul Anglican Church, Odode-Idanre, where they were preparing for a three-day crusade.
They were reportedly taken to the State Police Headquarters in Akure and detained for five days without being shown any warrant of arrest or formal petition against them.
Fadahunsi alleged that during their detention, the “Pastors” were accused of planning to stage “fake miracles” and were pressured to pay ₦6 million to secure their release. The amount was allegedly reduced to ₦2 million after negotiations.
He further claimed that the money was paid in cash through a Point of Sale operator into a Moniepoint account reportedly bearing the name “Mama Shade Ventures.”
An additional ₦300,000 was allegedly given to an officer as “fuel allowance” before the “Pastors” were freed.
The “Cleric” also accused another “Pastor”, identified as Fayegbami, of acting as an informant and allegedly collaborating with some Police officers to target Pastors organising crusades for extortion.
The petition added that after their lawyer wrote to police authorities demanding redress, the “Pastors” were allegedly re-arrested and compelled to sign an undertaking not to pursue further action against the Commissioner.
Two vehicles said to belong to them were reportedly impounded.
Fadahunsi urged the IGP to mandate a Deputy Inspector-General of Police to conduct an independent probe and ensure that any officer found culpable is sanctioned in accordance with the law.
Reacting to the allegations, the Ondo State Police Command, under the leadership of CP Adebowale Lawal, dismissed the claims and insisted that the arrest was lawful and procedurally conducted.
In a statement, the Command said the six individuals were arrested as suspected fraudsters over an alleged miracle scam in Idanre, stressing that the operation was carried out in strict compliance with due process and established criminal investigation procedures.
“The arrest in question was conducted in strict compliance with due process and established criminal investigation procedures. At no time were laid-down operational guidelines compromised,” the statement read.
The Command disclosed that the suspects voluntarily made written and video-recorded confessional statements admitting their alleged involvement in the offence, adding that the statements were obtained in line with extant legal provisions and would form part of the evidence in court.
While denying any extortion, the Police said the allegations had been formally noted and that a “thorough, impartial and transparent investigation” had been ordered to ascertain the true facts.
The Commissioner of Police, according to the statement, categorically denied ever directing anyone to collect money on his behalf or for any purpose whatsoever, describing such conduct as contrary to the ethical standards of the Nigeria Police Force and the Command’s zero-tolerance stance on corruption and misconduct.
The Command assured the public that any officer found culpable at the end of the investigation would be dealt with decisively in accordance with the law, while reaffirming its commitment to professionalism, accountability and community-centred policing across the State.
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